December is National

DECEMBER IS NATIONAL PEAR MONTH

Submitted by SueAnn Boyd, Healthy Schools Coordinator

As one of the most favored fruits, the pear offers many nutritional benefits and is easy to use and transport. Apple cider, caramel apples and bobbing for apples all conjure up the visions of fall. This is the season of the apple. It is also the season of the pear, a fruit often overlooked in the shadow of the apple. Pears deserve bragging rights as well. They are sodium free, cholesterol free and fat free. They are one of the top 20 most popular fruits, according to the FDA. They are an excellent source of fiber (24 percent of recommended daily value), only 100 calories and don’t require any prep to enjoy. Not only are pears easily digestible and a great pre-workout snack, they are delicious and provide your body with a good amount of Vitamin C and moderate amount of fiber. With over 3,000 varieties grown around the world, December has been declared national pear month. Pears provide nutrients that can assist with preventing cardiovascular disease and various cancers. They are a natural source of antioxidants which are important for bone and tissue health and in lowering the risk for infection. Pears also contain flavonoids that have been associated with a decreased risk of Type 2 diabetes in both women and men.

When you are selecting a pear, choose one that is firm and without blemishes. Wash the fruit before eating. If you are cutting the pear ahead of serving, be mindful that the pears oxidize quickly and will turn a brownish color. You can prevent this by applying several drops of orange, lemon or lime juice to the fruit immediately after cutting. The USDA ChooseMyPlate campaign encourages us to make sure that half of our plates are made up of fruits and vegetables. Tips on how to consume more fruit can be found at this MyPlate’s 10 tips to help you eat more fruits.

There are many varieties of pears. I have listed just a few below. Each pear type has a unique taste and texture and will taste even better and cost less if purchased when they are in season. Just like apples, certain pear varieties are better for baking such as the Bosc while some are better paired with wine and cheese, such as the Comice.

Red Bartlett

Aug – Jan Red, soft, juicy, sweet, skin (thick, bitter)

Bartlett

Sept - Feb Pale golden green, soft, juicy, sweet, skin (thick, bitter)

Concorde

Sept – Feb Long, yellow-green (often confused with Bartlett), crisp, dense

Comice

Sept – Mar Small, fat, red & blue hues, sweet in flavor

Bosc

Sept – April Brown-gold tough skin, crunchy with strong pear flavor

Green Anjou

Sept – May Plump, spherical, soft, sweet, lemony

Red Anjou

Oct – May Red, spicy, soft Pears can be incorporated into a variety of dishes, is a healthy snack and is a food tolerated by sometimes fussy stomachs. For a variety of recipes that incorporate pears, visit MyPlate Pear-fect Idea to Fill MyPlate. The USDA Recipe Finder is another source for which individual ingredients can be searched to locate recipes that incorporate that specific ingredient. Unique ways to serve pears might be to top your salad with a pear, pair a pear with wine and cheese, make a pear and grilled cheese sandwich, or switch up your fav apple crisp recipe and use pears instead.

Sources: Henne, Becky. “December is national pear month.” MSU Extension. December 3, 2012. Accessed October 12, 2020. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/ december_is_national_pear_month St. Germain, Alison. “December Is National Pear Month.” December Is National Pear Month. December 12, 2018. Accessed October 12, 2020. https://www.eatrightiowa.org/post/ december-is-national-pear-month